Refuse compactor

ABSTRACT

A refuse compactor having a ram movably carried on a support for selective movement into a refuse-holding drawer to compact refuse deposited therein. The ram is driven by an electric motor which is controlled to effect preselected forcible compaction of the refuse and return to a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;start&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; position for subsequent compaction of additional refuse subsequently deposited in the drawer. The drawer is movable between an inner, compacting position and an outer, refuse-receiving position. The motor is controlled to permit operation of the ram only when the drawer is substantially in the compacting position.

United States Patent [73] Assignee [72] Inventors Michael J. Bottas St. Joseph; Thomas R. MacFarlane, Benton Harbor; Frank E. Miller, St. Joseph, all of Mich. [21] Appl. No. 874,249 [22] Filed Nov. 5, 1969 [45 Patented Oct. 19, 1971 Whirlpool Corporation [54] REFUSE COMPACTOR 17 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 100/52, 100/53, 100/229 [51] Int. Cl. 83% 15/14 [50] Field of Search 53/124; 141/71, 73; 100/50, 48, 52, 53, 229, 229 A, 256, 290

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,591,510 4/1952 Clark 100/53 X 3,353,478 11/1967 Hopkins..... 100/52 3,460,463 8/1969 Jernstrom 100/52 3,527,l6l 9/l970 Brown et al 100/256 2,764,932 l0/l956 Pease 100/50 3,040,653 6/1962 Neitzel 100/50 3,079,856 3/1963 Swartz 100/50 3,204,550 9/l965 Swiderski et al. 100/52 3,232,220 2/1966 Sileski IOU/53 X 3,352,230 ll/l 967 Hunnicutt 100/53 3,537,390 l l/l970 Hinkel et al. 100/53 X 7 Primary Examiner-Billy J. Wilhite Attorneysl-lofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman & McCord, James S. Nettleton, Thomas Turcotte, Burton H. Baker, Gene A. Heth, Franklin C. l-larter, Anthony Niewyk and Robert L. Judd ABSTRACT: A refuse compactor having a ram movably carried on a support for selective movement into a refuse-holding drawer to compact refuse deposited therein. The ram is driven by an electric motor which is controlled to effect preselected forcible compaction of the refuse and return to a start position for subsequent compaction of additional refuse subsequently deposited in the drawer. The drawer is movable between an inner, compacting position and an outer, refuserecciving position. The motor is controlled to permit operation of the ram only when the drawer is substantially in the compacting position.

REFUSE commcron BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates to refuse compactors and in particular to refuse compactors having a ram selectively movable to compact refuse received in a refuse-holding means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention comprehends an improved refuse compactor arranged to provide a preselected forcible compaction of refuse received in a holding means thereof and to cycle the compactor for sequential compacting operations in a novel and simple manner.

The refuse compactor includes a new and improved control means for forcibly driving a compacting ram to effect the preselected compaction of refuse in the holding means and cause a subsequent withdrawal of the ram to a retracted position for sequential compacting operations. The control is arranged to pennit operation of the ram for compacting the refuse only when the refuse-holding means is substantially ina preselected compaction position within the apparatus. The control includes means for terminating the compaction operation in the event that the ram jams refuse material in such a manner as to displace the refuse-holding means from the compaction position. The control further includes means for eliminating the jammed condition by withdrawing the ram from the refuse-holding means.

' The control includes new and improved circuitry for directionalizingthe control of the start winding of the motor and effecting a starting operation at the opposite ends of travel of the ram. The control includes means for initiating the compaction travel of the ram as by manual operation of a starting switch and means for effecting withdrawal travel of the ram as by automatic functioning of the control when the compaction force reaches a preselected maximum.

The control is economical of construction while yet providing each of the highly desirable features discussed above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a refuse compactor embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section thereof;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical transverse section thereof; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuitry thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in the drawing, a refuse compactor generally designated is shown to comprise a refuse-holding means, or drawer, '11 movably carried on a support 12 for selective positioning in an exposed refuse-receiving position as shown in FIG. 1 and an inner compaction position as shown in dotted lines in FIGS. 2 and 3. The support 12 is disposed within an outer cabinet 13. The front wall 14 of the cabinet 13 is provided with an opening 15 through which the drawer 11 is movable between the refuse-receiving and compaction positions.

Refuse placed in drawer II is compacted therein by means of a ram 16 guided by support 12 for vertical movement from an uppermostretracted position downwardly into the drawer 11 when the drawer is in the compaction position. Ram 16 is forcibly driven by means of an electric motor 17 through a suitable connecting drive including upright threaded shafts l8 and threaded connectors 19.

The present invention comprehends improved means for controlling the operation of motor 17 to provide improved compaction of the refuse in drawer 11. Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, motor 17 includes a main winding 20 and a start winding 21. The motor may comprise a conventional split phase motor having a conventional overload protection device 22 integral therewith. Operation of motor 17 is selectively reversible by suitable energization of the start winding 21. The selective energization of the motor to effect such reversible operation is effected by a control circuit generally designated 23 arranged to be connected to a pairof conventional power supply leads 1. and L,. As shown, the control includes a single-pole, singlethrow drawer safety switch 24, a normally closed single-pole, single-throw top limit switch 25 which is held open in the retracted position of the ram, a normally open, momentary close start pushbutton switch 26, a single-pole, single-throw door switch 27, a single-pole, singlethrow stop switch 28, and a single-pole, single-throw safety lock switch 29. The control further includes a motor relay generally designated 30 including a current coil 31 and a-normally open contact switch 32. Control 23 further includes a double-pole, double-throw directionalizing switch 33, having a first moving contact 34 selectively engageable with a first fixed contact 35 and a second fixed contact 36, and a second moving contact 37 selectively engageable with a first fixed contact 38 and a second fixed contact 39.

As shown in FIG. 4, drawer safety switch 24 is connected in series with power supply leadL and through a series connection of start pushbutton switch 26, stop switch 28, safety lock switch 29, coil 31, main motor winding 20 and motor overload 22 to power supply lead L Thus, when start pushbutton switch 26 is depressed with the drawer 11 in the refuse compaction position and the ram 16 in the uppermost retracted position, a circuit is established through motor main winding 20 from power supply lead I. to power supply lead L At this time, the top limit switch 25, which is carried on an upper portion of the support 12, is opened by the engagement therewith by a portion 40 of the ram.

The initial high-current flowing through the main motorwinding 20 by the momentary closing of switch 26 causes the coil 31 to close normally open contact 32 and thereby connect start winding 21 across the power supply leads L, and L More specifically, a circuit is established at this time from start pushbutton switch 26 through closed door switch 27, the lines connecting switch 27 to fixed contact 38, directionalizing moving switch contact 37, the line connecting contact 37 to the contacts 32, the now closed contacts 32, the line connecting contacts 32 to start winding 21, start winding 21, directionalizing switch moving contact 34 now engaging fixed contact 35, and overload 22. With start winding 21 thusly connected, operation of motor 17 is initiated in a suitable direction to move the ram 16 downwardly into the drawer 11 as seen in FIG. 2.

Immediately after initiation of movement of the motor I7, the current through coil 31 drops sufficiently to permit the contacts 32 to open. Shortly after the ram commences the downward movement, top limit switch 25 is permitted to close thereby providing a holding circuit with closed door switch 27 around the start pushbutton switch 26.

Shortly after the top limit switch 25 closes, directionalizing switch 33 is released so as to throw the moving contacts 34 and 37 to the biased position of the switch whereby these con' tacts engage fixed contacts 36 and 39, respectively.

The downward movement of the ram is continued by the operation of motor 17 in this first direction until the ram movement is resisted sufficiently to increase the current through main winding 20 and relay coil 31 to the point where the relay contacts 32 are again closed. Such resistance to movement of the ram is normally efi'ected by the engagement of the ram with the refuse when the compaction of the refuse reaches a preselected compaction. Where insufficient refuse is deposited in the drawer 11 to provide this resistance to the downward movement of the ram, the ram engages a pair of resilient bumper pads 41 carried on a suitable crossmember 42 of support 12 and thereby provide the necessary resistance to the downward motion to cause the current through the relay coil 31 to reach the preselected value for reclosing switch 32.

As indicated, above, directionalizing switch 33 is repositioned immediately after initiation of the downward movement of the ram. Thus, when relay contacts 32 are now reclosed, a reverse circuit is established relative to the start winding 21 thereby initiating an upward withdrawal movement of the ram 16 to return the ram to the upper retracted position. More specifically, a circuit is now established from contacts 32 through directionalizing switch moving contact 34 now engaging fixed contact 36, start winding 21, moving contact 37 now engaging fixed contact 39 and overload device 22. The upward movement of the ram continues until the directionalizing switch 33 becomes actuated then immediately the top limit switch 25 is opened by the ram portion 40 whereupon the holding circuit around pushbutton switch 26 is broken, thereby deenergizing the motor 17 and establishing the compactor for a subsequent compacting operation as by a subsequent depression of start pushbutton switch 26. Thus, directionalizing switch 33 is automatically potentiated for the reversal operation of motor 17 as a function of the movement of the ram 16 downwardly from the retracted position permitting the reversal to be effected at any position of the ram upon the current through the motor main winding 20 reaching a preselected high value indicating a high resistance to the downward travel of the ram 16.

As shown in FIG. 2, the drawer safety switch 24 is carried on the support 12 rcarwardly of the drawer 11 to be closed only when the drawer 11 is in the fully closed position of FIG. 2. Thus, the operation of pushbutton switch 26 is effected to initiate a compaction operation only when the drawer is fully inserted into cabinet 13.

At times the drawer 11 may move slightly as from a jamming of the refuse in the drawer by the ram. lllustratively, where a relatively hard object, such as a soft drink bottle or the like, becomes jammed between the ram and the front wall of the drawer, the drawer 11 may move forwardly slightly, such as approximately one-fourth of an inch. When this occurs, it is desirable to effect withdrawal of the ram so as to permit continued operation of the compactor. To this end, the door safety switch 27 is connected in the holding circuit around pushbutton 26 and is adapted to be engaged by the drawer so as to stop operation of the compactor motor 17 upon such a small movement of the drawer. The drawer safety switch 24 is set to open upon a greater displacement of the drawer from the compacting position and illustratively, may be set to open when the drawer is set in excess of approximately one-half of an inch therefrom. Thus, switch 24 would remain closed under such jamming conditions permitting reverse withdrawal movement of the ram by the depression of pushbutton 26. The circuit to the start winding 21 is at this time in the arrangement wherein the start winding may be reversely energized as the directionalizing switch 33 is in the thrown position with moving contacts 34 and 37 engaging fixed contacts 36 and 39 respectively, whereby reenergization of motor 17 effects the desired withdrawal movement of the ram.

To preclude unauthorized use of the compactor as by children, the switch 29 comprises a key-operated switch permitting operation of the ram only when the key switch is turned to an On" position. As shown in FIG. 1, the switch 29 and a Start-Stop rocker switch 43 are disposed in a forward control panel portion 44 of the cabinet 13 for facilitated use.

The operation of compactor is extremely simple. The user merely moves the drawer 11 out from the front cabinet 13 to deposit refuse therein. When the amount of refuse so deposited reaches a preselected maximum level, a compaction of the deposited refuse may be effected by depressing the start pushbutton switch 26 by suitable manipulation of Start-Stop rocker switch 43. As discussed above, the motor 17 is thusly energized in a direction to move the ram 16 downwardly into the drawer 11 and engage the deposited refuse therein for suitable compaction. The operation of the ram 16 is automatically reversed either by the compaction force generated against the deposited refuse reaching a preselected maximum, or by the engagement of the ram with the bumper pads 41 to produce a similar reaction force where the collected refuse is insufficient to provide the preselected reaction force. The ram automatically moves back to the upper retracted position thereby permitting free movement of the drawer outwardly from the compactor for subsequent further deposit of refuse therein. The control 23 provides a fail-safe functioning in that the directionalizing switch 33 is potentiated at all times after the ram moves slightly downwardly from the retracted position to effect a reversal of the ram movement in the event of any one of a number of different conditions arising. The various control switches may be adjustably mounted for accurate control of the operation of the compactor and the coil 31 may be suitably preselected for effecting the reversal of the ram operation at a desired preselected maximum force. In the illustrated embodiment, the compactor is arranged to reverse the ram upon exertion of a force of approximately 2,200 to 2,500 pounds. lllustratively, the coil 31 may be arranged to have a pickup current rating of approximately 10.7 amperes and a dropout current rating of approximately 8.8 amperes. It will be understood that these ratings are dependent upon the mounting location of the relay coil and are subject to change.

The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is illustrative of the broad inventive concepts comprehended by the invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In a refuse compactor having a support, movable means for holding refuse to be compacted in a preselected compacting position, and a ram movably carried on said support for movement into said refuse-holding means to compact refuse received therein, apparatus for operating said ram comprising: drive means operatively connected to said ram for forcibly urging said ram selectively into and from said refuse-holding means; and control means for controlling the operation of said drive means for causing said drive means to apply a compaction force to refuse in said refuse-holding means up to a preselected maximum compaction force and upon reaching said preselected maximum force, effect a reversal of the drive means to withdraw said rarn from said refuse-holding means, said control means including means to prevent initiation of operation of the drive means to apply a compacting force in the event the refuse-holding means is displaced from said compacting position at least a first preselected amount and to prevent further operation of the drive means to apply a compacting force after initiation of operation thereof in the event that the refuse-holding means becomes displaced from said compacting position at least a second preselected amount different from said first preselected amount.

2. The refuse compactor apparatus of claim 1 wherein said control means includes manually operable means for initiating operation of said drive means and means for causing reversal operation of the drive means by operation of said manually operable means in the event said refuse-holding means becomes displaced said second amount during a compaction operation.

3. The refuse compactor of claim 1 wherein said second preselected amount of movement of said refuse-holding means is substantially less than said first amount.

4. In a refuse compactor having a support, means for holding refuse to be compacted, and a ram movably carried on said support for movement into said refuse-holding means to compact refuse received therein, apparatus for operating said ram comprising: drive means operatively connected to said ram for forcibly urging said rarn selectively into and from said refuseholding means; and control means for controlling the operation of said drive means for causing said drive means to apply a compaction force to refuse in said refuse-holding means up to a preselected maximum compaction force and upon reaching said preselected maximum force, effect a reversal of the drive means to withdraw said ram from said refuse-holding means, said control means including manually operable means for initiating operation of said drive means, said control means further including means for precluding unauthorized operation of said manually operable means.

5. in a refuse compactor having a support, means for holding refuse to be compacted, and a ram movably carried on said support for movement into said refuse-holding means to compact refuse received therein, apparatus for operating said ram comprising: drive means operatively connected to said ram for forcibly urging said ram selectively into and from said refuse holding means; control means for controlling the operation of said drive meansfor causing said drive means to apply a compaction force to refuse in said refuse-holding means up to a preselected maximum compaction force and upon reaching said preselected maximum force, effect a reversal of the drive means to withdraw said ram fromsaid refuse-holding means; and means for manually controlling the control means to withdraw the ram in the event that the refuse-holding means becomes spaced from a preselected compaction position more than a preselected amount during a compaction operation.

6. In a refuse compactor having a support, means for holding refuse to be compacted, and a ram movable guided by said support for movement into said refuse-holding means to compact refuse received therein, apparatus for operating said ram comprising: an electric motor operatively connected to said ram for moving said ram into and from said refuse-holding means, said motor having a main winding and a start winding; and control means for controlling operation of said motor including a relay having an operating coil connected in series with said motor main winding and a start switch controlled by said coil, a directionalizing switch connected in electrical series with said start switch and selectively connecting said start switch in a first circuit arrangement for energizing said motor start winding in a first direction to initiate operation of the motor to move said ram for compacting refuse in said refuseholding means, and in a second direction to initiate operation of the motor to move said ram for withdrawal from said refuse-holding means upon completion of a compaction of refuse in said refuse-holding means, and safety means for effecting withdrawal movement of the ram in the event of malfunctioning of the compactor during a compacting operation.

7. The refuse compactor apparatus of claim 6 further including a pair of safety switch means in series with said motor windings to prevent operation of said motor when said refuseholding means is spaced from a preselected compaction position a first amount prior to movement of the ram from its completely withdrawn position, or a second amount when the refuse-holding means is .moved from said preselected compacted position during a compaction operation.

8. The refuse compactor apparatus of claim 6 further including a limit switch in series with said start switch and in series with said main winding for deenergizing the motor when the ram moves to the end of its withdrawal travel, a safety switch in series with said motor windings to permit operation of said motor only when said refuse-holding means is substantially in a preselected compaction position, and means for independently adjusting said limit switch and said safety switch.

9. The refuse compactor apparatus of claim 6 wherein said directionalizing switch is biased to an arrangement wherein said start winding is connected thereto for energization in said second direction and said relay operates to permit said directionalizing switch to energize said start winding only at the opposite ends of travel of said ram.

10. The refuse compactor apparatus of claim 6 wherein said relay coil positions said start switch to permit energizing said start winding through said directionalizing switch only when the current flowing through said main winding increases to a predetermined value including when operation of the motor is initiated and when resistance by the refuse to movement of the ram reaches a preselected high value.

11. The refuse compactor apparatus of claim 6 further including means carried b the support for resisting operation of said drive means in sai first direction to cause a reversal 0 said motor to operate said drive means in said second direction.

12. The refuse compactor apparatus of claim 11 wherein said resisting means comprises resilient pad means carried by the support for engagement by said ram.

13. The refuse compactor apparatus of claim 6 further including a key-operated switch permitting operation of the compactor apparatus only when said key-operated switch is turned to an On" position.

14. The refuse compactor apparatus of claim 6 wherein said safety means includes means for stopping the motor in the event the refuse-holding means becomes displaced during a compacting operation.

15. The refuse compactor apparatus of claim 14 wherein said safety means includes selectively operable means for effecting a withdrawal of the ram subsequent to said stopping of the motor.

16. In a refuse compactor having a support, means for holding refuse to be compacted, and a ram movably carried on said support for movement into said refuse-holding means to compact refuse received therein, apparatus for operating said ram comprising: drive means operatively connected to said ram for forcibly urging said ram selectively into and from said refuseholding means; and control means for controlling the operation of said drive means for causing said drive means to apply a compaction force to refuse in said refuse-holding means up to a preselected maximum compaction force and upon reaching said preselected maximum force, effect a reversal of the drive means to withdraw said ram from said refuse-holding means, and safety means for preventing further compaction of the refuse in the holding means in the event the holding means is moved a preselected amount as a result of a lateral redirecting of the compacting force such as caused by nonuniform resistance to compaction by the refuse.

17. The refuse compactor apparatus of claim 16 further including'selectively operable means for causing withdrawal of the ram from the holding means subsequent to the preventing of further compaction operation by said safety means. 

1. In a refuse compactor having a support, movable means for holding refuse to be compacted in a preselected compacting position, and a ram movably carried on said support for movement into said refuse-holding means to compact refuse received therein, apparatus for operating said ram comprising: drive means operatively connected to said ram for forcibly urging said ram selectively into and from said refuse-holding means; and control means for controlling the operation of said drive means for causing said drive means to apply a compaction force to refuse in said refuse-holding means up to a preselected maximum compaction force and upon reaching said preselected maximum force, effect a reversal of the drive means to withdraw said ram from said refuse-holding means, said control means including means to prevent initiation of operation of the drive means to apply a compacting force in the event the refuse-holding means is displaced from said compacting position at least a first preselected amount and to prevent further operation of the drive means to apply a compacting force after initiation of operation thereof in the event that the refuse-holding means becomes displaced from said compacting position at least a second preselected amount different from said first preselected amount.
 2. The refuse compactor apparatus of claim 1 wherein said control means includes manually operable means for initiating operation of said drive means and means for causing reversal operation of the drive means by operation of said manually operable means in the event said refuse-holding means becomes displaced said second amount during a compaction operation.
 3. The refuse compactor of claim 1 wherein said second preselected amount of movement of said refuse-holding means is substantially less than said first amount.
 4. In a refuse compactor having a support, means for holding refuse to be compacted, and a ram movably carried on said support for movement into said refuse-holding means to compact refuse received therein, apparatus for operating said ram comprising: drive means operatively connected to said ram for forcibly urging said ram selectively into and from said refuse-holding means; and control means for controlling the operation of said drive means for causing said drive means to apply a compaction force to refuse in said refuse-holding means up to a preselected maximum compaction force and upon reaching said preselected maximum force, effect a reversal of the drive means to withdraw said ram from said refuse-holding means, said control means including manually operable means for initiating operation of said drive means, said control means further including means for precluding unauthorized operation of said manually operable means.
 5. In a refuse compactor having a support, means for holding refuse to be compacted, and a ram movably carried on said support for movement into said refuse-holding means to compact refuse received therein, apparatus for operating said ram comprising: drive means operatively connected to said ram for forcibly urging said ram selectively into and from said refuse holding means; control means for controlling the operation of said drive means for causing said drive means to apply a compaction force to refuse in said refuse-holding means up to a preselected maximum compaction force and upon reaching said preselected maximum force, effect a reversal of the drive means to withdraw said ram from said refuse-holding means; and means for manually controlling the control means to withdraw the ram in the event that the refuse-holding means becomes spaced from a preselected compaction position more than a preselected amount during a compaction operation.
 6. In a refuse compactor having a support, means for holding refuse to be compacted, and a ram movable guided by said support for movement into said refuse-holding means to compact refuse received therein, apparatus for operating said ram comprising: an electric motor operatively connected to said ram for moving said ram into and from said refuse-holding means, said motor having a main winding and a start winding; and control means for controlling operation of said motor including a relay having an operating coil connected in series with said motor main winding and a start switch controlled by said coil, a directionalizing switch connected in electrical series with said start switch and selectively connecting said start switch in a first circuit arrangement for energizing said motor Start winding in a first direction to initiate operation of the motor to move said ram for compacting refuse in said refuse-holding means, and in a second direction to initiate operation of the motor to move said ram for withdrawal from said refuse-holding means upon completion of a compaction of refuse in said refuse-holding means, and safety means for effecting withdrawal movement of the ram in the event of malfunctioning of the compactor during a compacting operation.
 7. The refuse compactor apparatus of claim 6 further including a pair of safety switch means in series with said motor windings to prevent operation of said motor when said refuse-holding means is spaced from a preselected compaction position a first amount prior to movement of the ram from its completely withdrawn position, or a second amount when the refuse-holding means is moved from said preselected compacted position during a compaction operation.
 8. The refuse compactor apparatus of claim 6 further including a limit switch in series with said start switch and in series with said main winding for deenergizing the motor when the ram moves to the end of its withdrawal travel, a safety switch in series with said motor windings to permit operation of said motor only when said refuse-holding means is substantially in a preselected compaction position, and means for independently adjusting said limit switch and said safety switch.
 9. The refuse compactor apparatus of claim 6 wherein said directionalizing switch is biased to an arrangement wherein said start winding is connected thereto for energization in said second direction and said relay operates to permit said directionalizing switch to energize said start winding only at the opposite ends of travel of said ram.
 10. The refuse compactor apparatus of claim 6 wherein said relay coil positions said start switch to permit energizing said start winding through said directionalizing switch only when the current flowing through said main winding increases to a predetermined value including when operation of the motor is initiated and when resistance by the refuse to movement of the ram reaches a preselected high value.
 11. The refuse compactor apparatus of claim 6 further including means carried by the support for resisting operation of said drive means in said first direction to cause a reversal of said motor to operate said drive means in said second direction.
 12. The refuse compactor apparatus of claim 11 wherein said resisting means comprises resilient pad means carried by the support for engagement by said ram.
 13. The refuse compactor apparatus of claim 6 further including a key-operated switch permitting operation of the compactor apparatus only when said key-operated switch is turned to an ''''On'''' position.
 14. The refuse compactor apparatus of claim 6 wherein said safety means includes means for stopping the motor in the event the refuse-holding means becomes displaced during a compacting operation.
 15. The refuse compactor apparatus of claim 14 wherein said safety means includes selectively operable means for effecting a withdrawal of the ram subsequent to said stopping of the motor.
 16. In a refuse compactor having a support, means for holding refuse to be compacted, and a ram movably carried on said support for movement into said refuse-holding means to compact refuse received therein, apparatus for operating said ram comprising: drive means operatively connected to said ram for forcibly urging said ram selectively into and from said refuse-holding means; and control means for controlling the operation of said drive means for causing said drive means to apply a compaction force to refuse in said refuse-holding means up to a preselected maximum compaction force and upon reaching said preselected maximum force, effect a reversal of the drive means to withdraw said ram from said refuse-holding means, and safety means for preventing further compaction of the refuse in the holding means in the event the holding meanS is moved a preselected amount as a result of a lateral redirecting of the compacting force such as caused by nonuniform resistance to compaction by the refuse.
 17. The refuse compactor apparatus of claim 16 further including selectively operable means for causing withdrawal of the ram from the holding means subsequent to the preventing of further compaction operation by said safety means. 